Sunderland Under-21s get Stadium of Light semi-final date which impacts Durham Challenge Cup final
Graeme Murty's Sunderland Under-21s are targeting silverware this season after progressing to the last four of the Premier League Cup.
Sunderland Under-21s will hope to move a step closer to claiming silverware when they host their Blackburn Rovers counterparts in the semi-final of the Premier League Cup later this month - and the Black Cats have confirmed the fixture will take place at the Stadium of Light.
Graeme Murty’s side came through a group containing Colchester United, Bromley and Norwich City to land a place in the last 16 of the competition and their run was extended by a 6-1 demolition of Nottingham Forest as Felix Scott, Jack Whittaker, Finn Geragusian, Tom Proctor and Marcus Neill all found the net. A quarter-final home tie with Watford was safely navigated thanks to a Lewis Campbell brace and another strike from Geragusian on a night when lead coach Murty praised his young side for ‘learning the benefit of winning scruffy’.
Speaking after that win, Murty told the club website: “It was a scrappy game. It was a difficult evening against an opponent who put us under a lot of pressure physically. We were much more clinical than our opponent and that was the difference in the game. I’m delighted with the clinical nature of our attacking, but we need to be far better than that.
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“We asked Lewis to go on and bring energy and make sure that he got into the finishing positions. I was really pleased with his finishes, but I’m more pleased with the unselfish nature of our play leading up to the goals. We’re a scholar team, that’s what we are, but they’ve learnt today the benefit of winning scruffy.”
A home semi-final against Blackburn was the reward for that win and the Black Cats youngsters will take on Rovers at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday, April 15 with kick-off scheduled for 7pm. The winners of that tie will face either West Bromwich Albion or Burnley in the final during the final weeks of the season after they claimed respective quarter-final wins against AFC Bournemouth and Colchester United.
The decision to host the tie at the Stadium of Light means the Durham Challenge Cup final between Northern League title contenders Shildon and Northern Premier League Premier Division side Stockton Town, which was set to take place on Tuesday, April 14, will now take place at an alternative venue after a decision that has disappointed both non-league clubs.
Durham County FA CEO, John Topping, said: “We are very disappointed that we have been informed that the final cannot be played at the Stadium of Light and we are in the process of securing a venue for the game to be played on the same date. We realise that this will be a great disappointment to players, officials and supporters of both Shildon AFC and Stockton Town FC and it is hoped that a new venue will be confirmed as soon as possible.”
Disappointed
Shildon released their own statement following the announcement and moved on from their disappointment over missing out on a visit to the Stadium of Light by stressing their players and staff will prepare for the final with ‘the same commitment, professionalism, and determination’.
“Shildon AFC acknowledges today’s announcement from the Durham County FA regarding the relocation of the Frank Pattison Challenge Cup Final. Naturally, we are disappointed that the fixture will no longer take place at the Stadium of Light, a venue that would have provided a memorable stage for our players, staff, and supporters. We recognise the logistical challenges that have led to this decision and appreciate the efforts being made to secure an alternative venue for the scheduled date.
“Regardless of where the final is ultimately played, our focus remains unchanged. This is a cup final, a chance to compete for a prestigious trophy, and an occasion our club and supporters fully deserve. Our players and staff will prepare with the same commitment, professionalism, and determination. We thank our supporters for their understanding and patience, and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible backing the team on the night once the new venue is confirmed.”
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